New York police, who have been hunting for a maniac or terrorist after a bomb exploded in a pubic garbage bin on a footpath in the city and other bombs were found, have made an arrest.

Reports last night said Ahmad Khan Rahami, wanted by police in relation to the Saturday night bomb blast that injured 19 people, and for an earlier explosion in New Jersey, was captured alive after a shootout with police.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued an advisory as follows: “We are aware of an explosion in New York and understand it is currently being investigated by local authorities. Stay vigilant and monitor the media about possible new safety risks. The level of advice has not changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise normal safety precautions in the United States of America, including Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.”

Meanwhile, another bomb was found in New Jersey and safely defused. It was reportedly a pressure cooker device, similar to the improvised devices used to bomb the Boston Marathon in 2013. One of the New Jersey bombs exploded yesterday when being disarmed by a robot, but no-one was reported injured.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called explosions “an act of terrorism”, but said there was “no evidence” of ties to an international group.

Meanwhile, a man in a private security uniform stabbed nine people in a Minnesota shopping mall, reportedly asking one victim if they were Muslim. An off-duty police officer shot and killed the assailant. The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.